THE SECRETS WE KEEP

ough the curtains, casting a

g to find Adrian still asleep b

The past few weeks had been a

utine. The threat from Claudia h

focus on their

and he smiled when he saw Em

usky wi

leaning in to kiss him so

lexing under the covers. "Bette

ogether makes al

on. "I feel the same way. It’s li

us as he looked into her eyes.

maybe it’s time we dealt wit

ing

ow, curiosity piqued

through his hair. "I know we’v

ot of loose ends. For one, we ne

father’s estate

she considered his words. "You’

d to face it. There are also som

I’ve kept burie

nd in his. "Whatever it is, we’ll

the burde

ngthening. "Thank you, Adrian

m

o visit Emma’s childhood home.

y memories and clues about the

ansion loomed ahead, its grande

e car and turned

fingers trembling slightly.

d walked up the steps, the fro

st particles floating in the beam

wind

hall, her eyes taking in the fa

funeral. It feels

and on her shoulder. "Take y

om by room, uncovering old

Each item they found seemed

thers bi

ed drawer in her father’s desk.

ere might be something importa

t

a set of lock-picking tools

licked open, and Emma carefully

, each one meticulously organ

the top letter, recognizin

her," Emma said, her voice bar

e. Why would he k

xamined the letters. "Maybe th

ad through them and see

eading the letters, piecing tog

became clear that he had been

nal vendettas that had ulti

she read the final letter, writ

t me," she said, her voice chok

agged into

und her, holding her close.

e could to k

, her tears soaking his shirt. "I

I understand why

r, his voice soothing. "He kn

a chance to honor his mem

en glow over the room, Emma an

ered painful truths, but they al

rmination to

it the Sinclair mansion, the site

ure, a way to face their past a

but now eerily silent ha

f bad memories," she said softly

are. Where we fo

th warmth. "It’s true. This place

change

Claudia had made her last st

lingered. Emma shivered, a

ast," he said gently. "We

r heart full. "You’re rig

ettling Emma’s father’s estate

ook control of the family bus

y while forgin

e balcony of their apartment,

ned to Emma, his

his voice steady. "We’ve been

ou. I know we’ve talked about t

ici

d a beat. "Adrian,

and pulled out a small velvet

d ring. "Emma, w

looked at the ring, then back

ll

finger, his eyes shining with l

in this

, kissing him passionately. "I

ning wrapped in each other’s a

ogether. The darkness of the pa

hat as long as they had each o

de plans for their wedding, e

d family. They talked about th

o embark on, and the fam

ire, but it had emerged stronge

er challenges the future held,

h other’

n a whirlwind of wedding prep

side, building a life that was

individua

the sun shone brightly, casti

, her heart racing with excite

andsome in his tuxedo, her

as he walked down the aisle,

her, he took her hands in his,

eautiful,"

with tears of happiness. "And

ove and laughter, the vows the

future they were building toget

ly erupted in cheers, celebratin

to each other

that night, Emma and Adrian k

faced the darkness together an

on of hope

but they were ready for whateve

every victory, and cherish eve

it would guide them throu